STUDY TOURISM ONLINE
Develop your skills in Tourism planning and management.
" I have never found the staff at any other learning institution as supportive as the staff at ACS. This gives one a lot of peace of mind and confidence to go on - at every squeak from my side, you guys have always been there, immediately to sort me out. The feedback on my lessons has always been really good and meaningful and an important source of my learning. Thanks!..."
- Student with ACS
This course provides an ideal foundation for employment in the tourism industry, from a tour guide or tourism agents shop to tour attractions operator, booking desk operator or tour guide. Start with this course and combine with other modules at your own pace to eventually obtain a full internationally (IARC) recognised certificate or diploma in tourism.
Aims
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Travel Industry Overview/Introduction
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Holiday travel, Business travel, Resources, Components of travel (Accommodation, Transport, Food, Luggage/what to take, Health, Money, etc)
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Destinations
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Local, State, Interstate, International; health before departure.
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Money, Insurance & Legalities
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Credit cards, travellers cheques, exchange rates, International driving, quarantine laws, Islamic law, political concerns, tariffs, duty free, departure taxes etc.
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Transport - Airline reservations
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International Air Transport Assn, Aircraft types, Flight information, transfers, time zones, passports, visas, baggage, travelling with animals, making a reservation, etc.
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Transport - Car Rental
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Types of hire cars, reading manuals, different road rules, making reservations, cost structures, etc
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Transport -Other, boat (ferries, cruising), bus, rail etc
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Accommodation
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Camping, Caravans, Tents, B & B's & Guesthouses, Hotels, Youth Hostels, Resorts, etc
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Package Tours
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Travel Agency Systems
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Ethics, Tourist organisations, Client records and accounts procedures, etc.
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Special Project -planning a trip
What You Will Do
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Describe the nature and scope of the tourism industry.
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Recommend tourism destinations relevant to client needs.
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Advise a client on planning for unforseen circumstances on a trip, such as financial, legal and insurance issues.
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Explain the operation of airlines, including booking procedures.
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Explain the operation of car rental services, including booking procedures.
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Explain the operation of other transport services, including shipping, bus and rail.
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Explain the operation of accommodation options to a client
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Advise a client on package tour options, to satisfied their specified requirements.
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Determine appropriate operational systems for management of a tourism service.
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Consolidate available information and resources to plan a trip.
What's the Scope of Tourism?
Tourists travel to destinations. They need transport systems to get to their destinations and once there, they require accommodation, entertainment (or ‘attractions’) and other amenities (eg. shops, garages, medical facilities).
The tourism industry is comprised of sectors that deal with the tourist’s needs. Sectors include:
* Marketing specialists – travel agents, tour wholesalers and tourism promotional agencies
* Carrier or transport services – including rail, coach, airlines and shipping services
* Accommodation sector – including hotels, resorts, motels, campgrounds, B&Bs, caravan parks, restaurants and cafes
* Attractions sector – including theme parks and other tourist-oriented entertainment facilities
* Tour operators – tourism guides, tour group leaders, drivers and hosts
Some sectors overlap; others operate independently. For example, a large tourism resort might offer accommodation, attractions, tours and marketing services, while a travel agent is likely to be only involved in the marketing sector.
Broadly there are three types of tourism systems in each country:
a) Local or domestic tourism – residents travelling within their own country, including short-distance day and weekend trips, excursions within the state or region, and interstate or long-distance travel within the country
b) Outbound tourism – residents travelling abroad
c) Inbound tourists – tourists visiting from another country
Many organisations specialise in one or two tourism systems; for example, a government-sponsored tourist authority caters for inbound and domestic tourists, but not outbound tourists.
Who Are Tourists?
It is important for anyone working in the travel industry to understand who their customers are and what they are likely to want and need during their holiday.
In broad terms, tourists can be categorised into the following groups:
* Young adults – typically fall into two groups:
a) Students and backpackers travelling on a tight budget; often on an extended holiday, travelling to a number of destinations in several different countries; may seek casual work to supplement their income and as part of their travel experience; generally prefer independent travel; usually have a flexible itinerary; often participate in active, adventure travel experiences; often travel in groups; often prefer ‘alternative’ destinations and to travel ‘off the beaten track; generally prefer hostel and budget-style accommodation; often fly to their destination, then use coach and train travel, or may share the costs of campervan rental with other young adults.
b) Employed young adults taking annual holidays or short-break trips; typically have saved money for a well-earned break; may travel to only one or two destinations during their trip; prefer travelling on a well-planned itinerary; often prefer packaged holidays and group tours; often prefer hotel and resort-style accommodation; often book fly-drive packages.
* Families – Holiday itinerary depends on budget and age of children; often favour destinations with theme parks, beaches or ski-fields; holidays coincide with school holidays; some prefer a planned itinerary on a fly-drive package holiday while others prefer a more flexible, independent and less expensive holiday driving their own vehicle.
* Retirees – newly-retired ‘empty nesters’ often have lots of time and money to spend on travel; may travel to both local and overseas destinations; often use a variety of forms of transport including motor homes, cruises and coaches; prefer staying in upmarket hotels and B& B’s; often prefer packaged holidays and group tours.
* Special interest groups – sports and hobby clubs, senior associations and many other groups often book holidays that specifically cater to their interests; itinerary is always carefully planned; generally stay in hotels, cabins and lodges; usually travel by coach; often have a guide and/or group leader to organise the activities and oversee the travel arrangements.
Obviously there are many exceptions, but if you are assisting a client with their travel plans or promoting a holiday destination to a specific group, it helps to understand the ‘typical’ features of that person’s demographic group.
What Do People Need to Think About When Travelling?
A travel plan should encompass all of those things that need to be dealt with on the trip; its aim is to make the trip as smooth as possible.
Things to consider:
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Accommodation
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Transport
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Travel routes
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Food
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Luggage (what to take; restrictions on number and weight of bags)
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Health (before and during the trip)
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Money (credit cards, travellers cheques or other)
A travel plan is not the same as an itinerary. An itinerary is a document that states the booking arrangements made prior to the trip, including times, dates, destinations, accommodation and transport. As shown above, a travel plan is broader in scope. The travel plan might be formulated by the traveller or a package tour operator.
FAQ'S (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q. Are these studies recognised?
A. ACS has an excellent international reputation.
- We have been established since 1979, Our tutors are highly qualified,
- We are recognised internationally by IARC,
- We have affiliations with a group of highly credible colleges from several countries,
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Q. Will this get me a job?
A. We rarely hear of students having difficulties with employment once a course has been successfully completed. Our courses are designed to make you employable! Having said this though; there is always more to getting a job than just study. Plenty of university graduates end up unemployed. We try to develop more than just knowledge in order to help you avoid such situations.
Q. How am I assessed
A. Assessment is holistic (We consider not only exam results, but also assignments, and all interaction you have throughout the course with your tutor). If you don't satisfy requirements, you are always given opportunities to resit exams or resubmit assignments.
Q. What support will I get?
A. Lots more than most colleges. Our priority is to support our students. We have academic staff on duty daily -both in the UK, and in Australia. This means that you can phone or email us and get in touch 16 out of 24 hrs, every working day. Our policy is that student phone calls and emails are given number 1 priority. It is rare that they are not answered on the same working day as when we receive them.
Our academics provide mentoring and careers or business advice whenever requested; at no additional cost to our students.
Q. How can I be sure I choose the right course?
A. We strongly recommend that you use our careers advisory service. Click here
